The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has announced the Round 3 schedule for NEET-UG 2026 medical and dental (MBBS/BDS) admissions. Round 3 option entry opens on 25 September 2026 at 11 AM and stays open until 29 September at 11 AM on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, and the Round 3 caution deposit is paid between 24 and 28 September. KEA has made clear that candidates must enter fresh choices — options from earlier rounds will NOT be carried forward to Round 3.
Round 3 is at the OPTION-ENTRY stage, not allotment: pay the caution deposit (24–28 Sep) and enter fresh options (25–29 Sep, 11 AM to 11 AM). The Round 3 seat allotment follows after option entry closes.
How Karnataka Round 3 works
KEA runs Karnataka's state-quota NEET-UG counselling in successive rounds. In Round 3, eligible candidates first pay the prescribed caution deposit, then enter their college and course preferences (option entry) online. After the option-entry window closes, KEA prepares and publishes the Round 3 seat allotment based on Karnataka NEET rank, category, reservation and the fresh options entered. So the allotment result is a step that comes after 29 September, not before.
Karnataka NEET-UG Round 3: key dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Round 3 caution-deposit payment | 24 – 28 September 2026 |
| Round 3 option entry (choice entry) | 25 September (11 AM) – 29 September (11 AM) 2026 |
| Fresh choices | Mandatory — earlier-round options are not carried forward |
| Round 3 seat allotment | After option entry closes (per KEA's schedule) |
| Official portal | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in |
Who can take part, and what to do
- NEET-UG 2026 qualified candidates eligible for Karnataka state-quota MBBS/BDS seats who want to take part in Round 3.
- Pay the Round 3 caution deposit between 24 and 28 September as prescribed by KEA.
- Enter fresh options (MBBS/BDS colleges and courses) between 25 and 29 September (11 AM to 11 AM) — do not assume your earlier choices carry over.
- Order your options by genuine preference; the allotment that follows is binding in the ways KEA's notice specifies.
Documents you'll need
- NEET-UG 2026 admit card and scorecard/result
- Class 10 marksheet and certificate (for date of birth)
- Class 12 marksheet and passing certificate
- Photo ID proof (Aadhaar / PAN / passport)
- Domicile / residence certificate (for state-quota seats)
- Category certificate (SC / ST / OBC-NCL / EWS) and PwD certificate, if applicable
- Provisional allotment letter (printed after allotment) and recent passport-size photographs
Follow only KEA's official Round 3 notice at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in for the exact caution-deposit amount, option-entry window and the allotment date — these are strict during counselling.
When does Karnataka NEET-UG 2026 Round 3 option entry begin?
Option entry opens on 25 September 2026 at 11 AM and closes on 29 September at 11 AM on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
When is the Round 3 caution deposit paid?
Between 24 and 28 September 2026, before/alongside option entry.
Do my earlier-round options carry over to Round 3?
No. KEA requires fresh option entry for Round 3; earlier-round choices are not considered.
Is the Round 3 seat allotment already out?
No. Round 3 is at the option-entry stage; the seat allotment is published after the option-entry window closes on 29 September.
Where do I enter options and check my result?
On the official KEA portal, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, using your login credentials.
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